It comes as plans were previously outlined for the metro to connect Cambridge to Waterbeach, Cambourne and St Neots.

The scheme would see rubber-tyred, electric vehicles travel into Cambridge on off-road routes from towns and villages, before heading underground into the city.

If given the green light it is hoped the metro to Haverhill, Cambourne and St Neots will open by 2025. Waterbeach, Huntingdon and Mildenhall would follow later in 2028.

It is also hoped the plans will encourage Cambridgeshire commuters to ditch their cars.

James Palmer, mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, said the best way to deliver a metro would be to set up a “mayoral development corporation” (or MDC), which would help consolidate planning powers in the region.

Mr Palmer said: “You will notice Mildenhall is included. This is a growth corridor. We want to work with partners in West Suffolk to deliver, and we want to deliver in Haverhill too. This is truly a project for Cambridgeshire, and beyond. It will alleviate the misery of traffic in the area.

Map showing potential routes for the new Cambridge metro public transport system

What you think about the Cambridge metro?

Reader comments on the expanded metro plans included the downright dismissive. In a previous article comment section Havefarage said: "Former Soviet states have more modern public transport than this scam."

"There are parish councils but with bigger egos and more spending money," bouldersinboots chimed in.

While LodeYellow said Mr Palmer had taken "blue sky thinking to stratospheric levels" and 160968Paul slated the project as "another white elephant".

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What do you think of the metro proposals?

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CambridgeUK noted that the proposed tram-like metro, was "not the answer" and what Cambridgeshire really needs is an extended railway system.

They said: "Trouble is, some (no doubt) expensive 'consultants' don't seem to like rails, hence why they are barking on about a bus."

They added: "Have we learned absolutely nothing from the shambles which is the guided bus? We missed a huge opportunity then, and it looks as if we'll miss it again now."

Others also expressed fears that the project would be more akin to the Guided Busway, which has been beset with maintenance projects and safety concerns.

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James Palmer, mayor of Cambridgeshire

User Stylops said: 'Rubber-tyred, electric vehicles' using off-road routes from towns and villages'. If it looks like a bus, and quacks like a bus, it is a guided bus."

And Notadon summed it up for many, skeptical over funding and viability of a project which is more akin to the busway than a metro system.

He called the project "A typical Cambridge pipe dream."

He added: "Let’s see a proper costed plan including funding, and one that sees a light rail network and no buses."

One reader appreciated the ambitious metro plans, saying: "Well done Mr Palmer!! This is better than doing nothing!! I have spent years in rush hour traffic from the Haverhill direction among thousands of others stationary on the A1307. Bring it on..."